Odisha Government Eases PUCC Penalties: What Vehicle Owners Need to Know

Temporary Relief for Vehicle Owners in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a temporary suspension of penalties associated with Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) until April 1. This decision comes in response to the challenges vehicle owners have been facing in acquiring and renewing these essential certificates.

Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the Commerce and Transport Minister, has instructed the State Transport Authority to refrain from imposing fines on vehicles lacking valid PUCCs during this grace period. Additionally, he has mandated the suspension of pollution-related fines generated through the electronic detection system at toll booths until the deadline.

Officials noted that this measure was implemented after motorists expressed concerns regarding the procedural and logistical hurdles involved in pollution testing. The temporary easing of regulations is intended to provide vehicle owners with sufficient time to meet pollution control requirements without incurring penalties.